The fight against cancer receives greater European support: the European Parliament has approved the resolution co-initiated by Victor Negrescu
The European Parliament has approved, by a large majority, the resolution on combating cancer, co-initiated by the institution’s Vice-President, Social-Democratic MEP Victor Negrescu, a member of the Committee on Public Health (SANT). Adopted on the occasion of World Cancer Day, the document reaffirms the European Union’s political commitment to the full implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The resolution, to which Victor Negrescu contributed as co-author, calls for stronger funding, coordination and cooperation at European level in order to reduce inequalities in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as to ensure equitable access to high-quality cancer care for all EU citizens.
Victor Negrescu emphasized that one of the main objectives pursued through the amendments he supported during the drafting process was strengthening the social dimension of European health policies, with a focus on patients and their real needs.
“Today we are not talking about numbers or procedures. We are talking about people, about patients, families and doctors who fight cancer every single day,” he stressed.
The MEP drew attention to the persistent differences between Member States regarding access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment, noting that these disparities continue to affect patients’ chances of survival.
“In too many cases this fight is marked by inequalities. Unequal access to prevention, screening, early diagnosis and life-saving treatments. Patients we could save lose their lives simply because they do not have the right postal code,” said Victor Negrescu, highlighting the need for coordinated European measures to reduce these disparities.
A central element of the resolution is the attention given to pediatric oncology. Victor Negrescu contributed to the inclusion of strong references regarding the need to develop robust European pediatric oncology networks and ensure equitable access to innovative treatments for children with cancer across the Union.
At the same time, the resolution calls for strengthening European funding for health in the EU’s future multiannual budget for 2028-2034. As early as July, Victor Negrescu warned about the risk of reducing European support for health, criticizing the European Commission’s proposal for the future multiannual budget and considering “the disappearance of the EU4Health programme through its merger with other budget lines unacceptable.”
“Health is not a cost; it is an investment in people, in communities and in the future of our loved ones,” underlined the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
Victor Negrescu reiterated that the adoption of the resolution must be followed by concrete actions at both national and European level.
“Beyond documents, Member States must act so that every child and every patient in Europe can receive quality care in the fight against cancer,” he stated.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the European Union after cardiovascular diseases. Approximately 2.7 million people were diagnosed in 2024, and 1.27 million lost their lives due to the disease.
